Interior Designer Degree
How to Select the Best One Near Scottsdale Arizona

So it’s time to start the task of picking an interior design school near Scottsdale AZ now that you have made a career choice to study to be an interior designer. Even if you have always had a talent for designing commercial or residential spaces, it's essential that you get the proper training to put your natural abilities to work. And since a number of states do require that interior designers become licensed, depending on your state of residence you could need training to pass a licensing exam also. So in order to evaluate and compare each college you are considering before you make your final selection it's vital that you do the proper research. But where do you begin? Some future students will launch their research by searching for interior design courses near their home and then comparing tuition costs. However, a school is not always the best option just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are several other qualifications that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. We will address those issues and other vital questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's talk a little bit about the degree and training alternatives are offered.

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Interior Design Degrees

There are four degree options available in interior design to obtain the training needed to start your new career in Scottsdale AZ. Your selection will undoubtedly be driven by your career goals in addition to the time and money that you have budgeted to commit to your education. But no matter which degree program you decide to enroll in, make sure to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination mandated in several states. More will be covered on additional benefits of accreditation later. Following are short explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees provide the minimum amount of training needed to enter the field. They take about two years to finish and programs are offered at a number of Arizona community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can commonly obtain entry level employment as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that deliver more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They cover the creative and technical components of the business required to become a designer. They are the lowest credential needed by a graduating student in order to obtain an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs supply advanced training in design after acquiring the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer alternatives in specialty majors for such things as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate programs are mostly for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a college or university level. The programs differ in length but are generally completed in three to five years.

To work professionally and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", many states require that graduates of accredited colleges become licensed. In some instances, 2 or more years of field experience may be called for before a candidate can sit for the licensing examination.

Online Interior Designer Schools

For students who to study in the convenience of their Scottsdale AZ homes, there are accredited online interior design degrees. Attending classes online can be an excellent solution for those students that are employed or have hectic schedules that make attending classes on campus difficult. Classes can instead be attended on a laptop or a personal computer when practical for the student. For some students online schools may be the only alternative if no interior design programs are within driving distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more traditional options. Additional costs for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated also. Just make certain that the program you select is accredited by a respected accrediting agency, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online programs may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. If you have the discipline to acquire your degree without the structure of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design school may be the perfect alternative for you.

Topics to Ask Interior Designer Colleges

After you have chosen the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can start the task of evaluating your college options. Location will be an important issue, particularly if the campus has to be within commuting distance from your Scottsdale AZ residence. Naturally if you have decided on attending a school online, or are able to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will decrease your options also. But picking the cheapest college or the one that is closest to your residence are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other things that you should consider also, such as the accreditation and reputation of the college. Below are a few concerns that you may want to ask the colleges you are considering to obtain those answers in addition to others to help you assess and ultimately choose the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's important to make sure that the interior design program and school that you select has been accredited by either a regional or national agency. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a demanding evaluation of their teachers and programs. Just confirm that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are excellent, it might also help when securing financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Scottsdale AZ employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the Program Prepare you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, several States do mandate that interior designers get licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam in addition to a degree from an accredited school. And in some of those States requiring licensing, 2 or more years of professional experience may be required also. So in addition to providing an exceptional education, the Scottsdale AZ college you enroll in should also provide the suitable training to pass the NCIDQ examination and comply with the minimum licensing requirements for Arizona or the State where you will be working.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and attained your interior design certification, you will undoubtedly want some help in finding your first job. Ask the programs that you are considering if they have a job assistance program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is an excellent indication that the college and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design profession and its graduates are in demand. It may also indicate that the school has a large network of Scottsdale AZ business relationships where they can place students to secure internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Get in touch with the financial aid offices for the Scottsdale AZ colleges you are evaluating and find out what type of assistance they provide. Many of interior designer schools provide financial aid to their new students. Certain colleges offer partial scholarships while others provide assistance in acquiring federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that enrolling in an accredited college is important for qualification in most cases. Often a program that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its competitors because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Large are the Classes? Small classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Scottsdale AZ programs you are looking at what their average student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Scottsdale home, go to the campus and sit in on a few classes. Take the opportunity to talk with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, confirm that the interior designer college you choose provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially important if you will continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Scottsdale AZ, verify that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, verify that is an alternative as well. Finally, check what the process is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Find Out More About Studying to Become an Interior Designer in Scottsdale

Choose the Right Scottsdale Interior Design School

Choosing the ideal interior designer program is a critical first step toward launching your career in this creative and gratifying occupation. Finding a college where you will obtain your training and cultivate your skills in a particular area of study is a daunting task no matter what field you have chosen. As with any endeavor to acquire a higher education, there are many points to think about before choosing a program, course or school. At a minimum, make sure that the program and design school are both accredited and highly esteemed in the field. It is still imperative that you perform your due diligence research. By doing so and following the balance of the suggestions presented in this article, you will be able to effectively review and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the right final selection. And with quality training and your determination to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Scottsdale Arizona.

 

Scottsdale Interior Design Colleges | Scottsdale Interior Design Classes